Teams Articles

Posted by John Greenwood

The Kent Ladies O50 team, just one of two Kent teams participating this weekend, took part in the Masters ICC Finals at the West Warwickshire Club.

The Masters Trio of Mandy Akin (Womens O 55 National and British Open Champion 2019), Candy Wilton and Karen Hume (Women’s O60 national Champion 2019) saw off opposition from Derbyshire and Warwickshire on Saturday, winning both matches three rubbers to zero.

On Sunday the team faced Yorkshire in the Final- it was time to exact revenge for last year’s 1-2 defeat when Yorks rested the trophy that Kent had held for the previous two years.

First on was Karen, who won her match relatively easily 3-0, giving Kent a one nil lead. Mandy followed, a match which Kent felt would be particularly tough for her against the talented “youngster” 51 year old Andrea Santa Maria, holder of many World, European and National titles. Mandy narrowly lost the first game 15-17 and put up a valiant effort in the next two games but unfortunately

By John Greenwood

The Mens Kent 065s travelled up to Coventry last weekend to play in the finals of the intercounty championships, this was the first time in several years that they had reached the finals rather than fighting a relegation battle. The team of Ken Randall, Ian Smith and Keith Hibberd arriving late on Friday evening were, however, in confident mood as they arrived at the Coventry & Warwickshire Squash Club early on the Saturday Morning for a 9am start!

Drawing Yorkshire in the quarter finals seemed a heady task but Keith Hibberd playing at three against an England International fought back from two love down in a 56-minute tough match to give us a winning start. Ken Randall then went on at one and despite producing an array of winning shots just could win a game to pressurise his opponent. A close 3/0 loss. Ian Smith was left to decide the outcome of the match and played superbly to secure a 3/1 win.

My goodness, Kent were in the semi-finals against Hampshire, a team full o

Posted By Karen Hume

Once again the Kent o50s trio of Mandy Akin, Candy Wilton and Karen Hume found themselves making their way to Pontefract, for the (re-arranged due to snow) Inter- County Finals.

The event promised to be an exhibition of exciting squash with well over eighty players at the venue including ex professionals, current World, European, British Open and National champions amongst the players representing their respective counties.  Squash wise, the event didn’t disappoint.

Kent’s semi-final was against Herts, their opponents for the last 2 years at this stage. First up was Karen who won comfortably at no.3. She was followed by Mandy, who, playing an inspired Isobel Smith,  did well to take a win 3-1. The final match between the number 2 strings was a thrilling match, going to the wire, with Candy emerging the victor 15-13 in the 5th. Kent was through to the final 3-0.

The final was always going to be a close affair, with the Yorkshire team strengthened by a no.1 who wasn

Posted By Mandy Akin

The ladies over 40’s county team were in Nottingham last weekend and were looking to hold on to the title they won in 2017. The team kicked off their campaign on Saturday in the semi-final against Oxfordshire. We got off to a good start with Mandy Akin and Karen Hume winning at 3 & 5. Next on were Keeley Johnson and Candy wilton at No 1 & No 4. With Keeley taking on the strong Oxfordshire number 1, Sue Martin-Downhill! Keeley had a tough game and was leading 2/1, when Sue made a spirited come back to level the game at 2/2. Meanwhile, on the next court Candy was well on her way and took the match 3/0, securing Kent a place in the final. Keeley went on to a 10/0 lead in the 5th and eventually took the game and won the match. Catherine, in the No. 2 spot went on to also win 3/0, making it a 5/0 win.

Sunday morning we were up and ready to meet our old rivals Surrey, who we’d narrowly beaten in 2017 in a 3/2 thriller. No one could call the match resul

Posted By Mandy Akin

The Kent contingent had a good weekend in Manchester at the Masters National Championships. All three ladies got to the finals of their respective age groups, with Mandy Akin winning the over 55s.

Keeley Johnson was out to try and retain her over 40’s national title and was up against her usual rival. It was a tough fought match and Keeley won the 4th to level the match at 2/2, but unfortunately she couldn’t hold on to the final game and lost 3/2.

Karen Hume was out to get the over 60s title having moved into the new age group, but her Welsh opponent had other ideas! It was a close fought match with Karen trying to level the match from 2/1 down, but after a close battle in the 4th, she finally went down 3/1.

Mandy Akin was looking to add the over 55s National title to her list, having also moved up an age group. Her opponent being the runner up in the 2016 World Masters Championships. Mandy had a slow start going 4/0 down in the first game, but she quickly got to g